The 2023 24 NHL season starts Oct. 10. With training camps underway, NHL. com is taking a look at the three keys, the inside scoop on roster questions, and the projected lineup for each of the 32 teams. Today, the Dallas Stars https://www.krakenproteamstore.com/jaden-schwartz-jersey. Coach: Peter DeBoer second season Last season: 47 21 14; second place in Central Division, lost to Vegas Golden Knights in Western Conference Final3 KEYS1. Offense keeps producingThe Stars averaged 3. 43 goals per game last season, seventh in the NHL. That was a significant jump from 2021 22, when they were 21st at 2. 84 goals per game under former coach Rick Bowness. Jason Robertson tied for sixth in the NHL with 109 points 46 goals, 63 assists in 82 games. Jamie Benn had 78 points 33 goals, 45 assists in 82 games, his best total since he had 79 points in 2017 18. Joe Pavelski had 77 points 28 goals, 49 assists in 82 games, four shy of the NHL career high 81 he had in 2021 22. The Stars enter this season healthy, and if their top players can repeat or come close to last season's offensive output, they will be in good shape. 2. Win overtime gamesThis was a glaring problem during the playoffs when the Stars lost four of five overtime games, including the first two against the Golden Knights in the conference final. It also was an issue during the regular season as well. Dallas had 14 overtime shootout losses last season, the most of any team that made the Stanley Cup Playoffs the New York Rangers were next with 13 Kraken Jerseys. The Stars can't leave those points on the table in the regular season and can't let those games get away from them if they make the postseason again. 3. Lighten Oettinger's workloadJake Oettinger went 37 11 11 with a 2. 37 goals against average,. 919 save percentage and five shutouts in 62 games 61 starts last season. That was after he played in 48 games 46 starts in 2021 22. Part of that was because backup Scott Wedgewood was out for 15 games between Feb. 22 and March 28 because of an undisclosed injury. When Oettinger started faltering late in the playoffs, was it other teams finding his weak spots or was it him wearing down after a busy regular season? Could be a bit of both, but the Stars would be wise to get more playing time for Wedgewood or Matt Murray, who is expected to start the season with Texas of the American Hockey League, and cut Oettinger's load this season. ROSTER RUNDOWNMaking the cutThe Stars have a lot of veterans throughout the lineup, so it's not going to be easy for young players to break in this season. They're also entering this season healthy that includes defenseman Jani Hakanpää, who general manager Jim Nill said was able to avoid surgery for a knee injury he had during the playoffs. So it comes down to the old clich for the up and comers: if they impress during training camp, they'll stay. If not, another season of development outside the NHL won't hurt. Most intriguing additionMatt Duchene said it himself not long after signing a one year contract with the Stars on July 1: he has something to prove. He wants to get back to the production he had in 2021 22, when he had 86 points 43 goals, 43 assists in 78 games with the Nashville Predators, who bought out the remaining three years of his seven year contract June 30 Ryker Evans Jersey. Duchene could start at right wing or center on the third line. The 32 year old is a great addition to their depth and allows Dallas to go with Roope Hintz at center on the top line, Wyatt Johnston in the middle on the second line and Duchene or Tyler Seguin at center on the third line. Biggest potential surpriseMavrik Bourque broke into the pro game last season with 47 points 20 goals, 27 assists in 70 AHL games with Texas. As mentioned above, it may be tough for the 21 year old to crack the Stars lineup, but it's ultimately up to his training camp play to determine where he starts the season. Ready to contributeThomas Harley had two assists in six regular season games but the 22 year old defenseman got a bigger opportunity in the playoffs, when he had nine points one goal, eight assists in 19 games. Nill said players had to play games to get better. Harley did, on a big stage, and now he should get a chance to stick in the lineup all season. Fantasy sleeperWyatt Johnston, C fantasy average draft position: 164. 5 Johnston is a breakout candidate in a secondary role for the Stars after his 24 goals tied Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers for first among NHL rookies last season. Johnston should benefit from the offseason addition of forward Matt Duchene, who had 43 goals and 43 assists two seasons ago with the Nashville Predators. Pete JensenPROJECTED LINEUPJason Robertson Roope Hintz Joe PavelskiJamie Benn Wyatt Johnston Evgenii DadonovMason Marchment Matt Duchene Tyler SeguinTy Dellandrea Radek Faksa Craig SmithRyan Suter Miro HeiskanenEsa Lindell Nils LundkvistThomas Harley Jani HakanpaaJake OettingerScott Wedgewood Related Content Heiskanen hopes scoring, defense for Stars will lead to Norris TrophySep 03, 2023

Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Igor Shesterkin each had big performances Thursday to help the Rangers open their 2023 24 season with a victory at KeyBank Center. Jack Hughes was one of a trio of Metropolitan Division skaters that shone during their respective team's season opener, picking up two points and accomplishing a franchise first in the process. An 18 year rivalry recommences during a two game Friday as Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin go head to head at 7:30 p.m. ET, exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. and Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada. KREIDER, ZIBANEJAD, SHESTERKIN OPEN 2023 24 IN MID SEASON FORMChris Kreider 2 1 3 and Mika Zibanejad 0 3 3 both factored on three of five New York goals, accomplishing several franchise and NHL feats, while Igor Shesterkin made 24 saves for his 100th career win as the Rangers opened 2023 24 victorious. Kreider tallied with the man advantage as well as shorthanded for his 36th career multi goal game and boosted his career totals in season opening games to 5 6 11 11 GP. His five goals in those contests trail only Butch Keeling 7 , Jean Ratelle 6 and Cecil Dillon 6 for the most in franchise history. Zibanejad became the 13th player with multiple three assist performances in a season opener also 1 3 4 on Oct. 3, 2019 and the fourth active skater following Evgeny Kuznetsov 0 3 3 on Oct. 5, 2017 Oct. 13 John Leclair Jersey, 2021 , John Tavares 0 3 3 on Oct. 10, 2014 Oct. 11, 2023 and Nicklas Backstrom 0 3 3 on Oct. 1, 2009 Oct. 3, 2018.Shesterkin became the eighth Rangers goaltender to reach the 100 win milestone and did so in 159 games, surpassing Henrik Lundqvist's mark of 187 for the fewest in club history. OTHER METROPOLITAN DIVISION PLAYERS SHINE IN SEASON OPENERSThe Metropolitan Division provided no shortage of storylines to begin the new campaign as Devils, Flyers and Blue Jackets skaters produced notable performances during their first games of 2023 24: Jack Hughes 2 0 2 , who finished the 2022 23 regular season with points in each of his last eight games 3 10 13 in 8 GP , scored his third and fourth career goals in a season opener to lift the Devils to a come from behind win. The 22 year old became the first player in franchise history to collect multiple points in three separate season opening contests, after previously posting 2 0 2 to start 2021 22 and 0 2 2 to begin 2020 21. Joel Farabee 1 0 1 opened the scoring just 3:33 into the game while Travis Konecny 2 0 2 climbed the Flyers' all time goals and points lists in season opening contests to help Philadelphia start 2023 24 on a winning note. Philadelphia has now collected at least one point in each of its last nine season openers dating to 2015 16. Patrik Laine 1 0 1 recorded a point in his eighth consecutive season opening game dating to 2016 17 and established the longest run to begin a career in NHL history. He surpassed Mats Sundin 7 GP; 1990 91 to 1996 97 , Joe Sakic 7 GP; 1988 89 to 1994 95 and Wayne Gretzky 7 GP; 1979 80 to 1985 86.FABER'S FULL CIRCLE MOMENT FEATURED IN NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATESThursday's edition of NHLStats: Live Updates featured 11 teams contesting their season openers, including the Wild who saw hometown Brock Faber score his first NHL goal with friends and family in attendance while Filip Gustavsson recorded 41 saves in a perfect performancetied for the third most in a season opening shutout. Faber grew up a Wild fan and skated for his hometown NCAA team, the University of Minnesota, for the past three seasons in a run that concluded with him captaining the club in 2022 23. On April 29, 2022, Faber was photographed in the stands celebrating Kirill Kaprizov's goal531 days later, Kaprizov celebrated Faber's first NHL goal as his teammate.HIGHLIGHTING PLAYERS IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT 2023 24Throughout the 2023 24 season https://www.flyersprostore.com/brendan-furry-jersey, we'll be highlighting the work players are doing across the League to improve their community. These player driven initiatives are growing the game as well as bettering communities by providing medical and mental health resources. Timo Meier, who skated in the Devils' season opener Thursday and is set to take to the ice with his team Friday when they welcome the Coyotes, is the first feature. Meier changed his number in the offseason and is making it up to fans by providing incentives through the first two weeks of the regular season for those who purchase his new jersey. Meier's program includes a donation to Hockey in New Jersey, an organization that inspires youth to develop life skills and provides 'year round hockey programs for inner city children who are underrepresented due to gender, race, ethnicity, disability or socioeconomic status.' Click here to look back on features of players in the community from 2022 23.QUICK CLICKS NHLStats Pack: Boston Bruins Centennial Year Celebration Adam Fantilli surprised by birthday wishes from family and friends ahead of first NHL game Damar Hamlin returns the love to Buffalo at Sabres game Joe Bertagna named 2023 Lester Patrick Trophy honoree NHL on TNT's Blackhawks Bruins telecast is the network's most watched opening night game everLATEST CROSBY OVECHKIN SHOWDOWN TONIGHT ON ESPN+For the 66th time in the regular season as part of a rivalry that has spanned 18 years, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will meet Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin in Washington's first game of 2023 24. Crosby holds the edge in team record 38 23 4 and points 28 58 86 in those meetings while Ovechkin, true to form, leads in goals 34 and power play markers 17. The game will air exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. and will also be televised on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.The two veteran stars aim to return their franchises to the postseason after rare misses in 2022 23it marked the first time Pittsburgh had missed the playoffs since 2005 06 and the first time for Washington since 2013 14. The Penguins added 2023 Stanley Cup champion Reilly Smith and three time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson to the fold, while the Capitals hope healthy seasons from veteran mainstays Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson and John Carlson will help them get back in the playoff picture. Ovechkin opens his 2023 24 campaign with a myriad of milestones on the horizon. He sits one away from becoming the first player in NHL history to score 300 power play goals, 15 points from becoming the 16th player in NHL history to reach 1, 500 points and continues his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky on the all time goals list. Crosby, meanwhile, sits 48 helpers shy of becoming the 14th player in NHL history to reach 1, 000 assists and 87 points away from entering the top 10 on the NHL's all time points list.COYOTES' COOLEY LATEST ROOKIE PRIMED FOR NHL DEBUTIn what already looks to be a loaded rookie class, Coyotes forward Logan Cooley is expected to make his NHL debut when the Coyotes visit the Devils in Friday's other contest. Cooley, who was selected third overall by Arizona in the 2022 NHL Draft, starred for the University of Minnesota in 2022 23 22 38 60 in 39 GP and led all Coyotes skaters in preseason scoring with 4 2 6 in five games including one memorable goal in Melbourne, Australia. Cooley 19 years, 162 days can become the fifth teenager in Coyotes Jets history to score in his NHL debut. The four to do so to date include Jason Doig 18 years, 251 days in 1995 96 , Kris Draper 19 years, 133 days in 1990 91 https://www.flyersprostore.com/nolan-maier-jersey, Dave Babych 19 years, 140 days in 1980 81 and Christian Fischer 19 years, 281 days in 2016 17.

EDMONTON Zach Hyman has developed into one of the more effective net front players in the NHL by heeding the advice of coaches on the virtues of driving to the net.The Edmonton Oilers forward has 15 goals in 22 games and is on pace to exceed the 36 he scored last season, which was an NHL career high for the 31 year old.Hyman added to his goal total when he scored a hat trick in the Oilers' 10 12 1 fifth straight win, 6 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes at Rogers Place on Wednesday.'It's kind of just been a staple of my game, ' Hyman said. 'I've always been trying to figure out how to score goals, and that's the way I score goals. Early on, coaches always say if you want to score goals, you have to go to the net. In college, I didn't score very much in my first couple of years, even though I was still going to the net. When I first got to the NHL, I didn't score that much either, but I was still going to the net.'Hyman played four seasons at the University of Michigan before entering the NHL. He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the fifth round No. 123 of the 2010 NHL Draft but did not sign out of college and his rights were traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 19, 2015.Hyman played six seasons with Toronto before signing a seven year, $38.5 million contract $5.5 million average annual value as an unrestricted free agent with Edmonton on July 28, 2021. He is in his third season with the Oilers and has 26 points 15 goals, 11 assists in 22 games.'He's had an interesting road to get to where he is and he's put in a lot of hard work, ' Edmonton captain Connor McDavid said. 'I think everyone can understand his kind of path and have a ton of respect for everything that he's done to get himself into being a really, really good player in this league.'Hyman's best offensive season with the Maple Leafs was in 2018 2019 https://www.hurricanesprostore.com/jesper-fast-jersey, when he had 41 points 21 goals, 20 assists in 71 games. He had 54 points 27 goals, 27 assists in 76 games in his first season with the Oilers in 2021 22, then had 83 points 36 games, 47 assists in 79 games last season.As a top six forward with Edmonton, Hyman is playing with highly skilled players, the likes of McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent Hopkins and Evander Kane. Hyman has made the most of the opportunity and is not afraid to do the heavy lifting, digging pucks out of the corner and battling in front of the net.'There is a difference between going to the net and going to the net with a purpose and going to score, ' Hyman said. 'You have to be able to separate yourself from your defender, get your stick free, and you have to try and figure out where the puck's going to be. There's a lot of different things that go into it. If you go to the net enough, you're going to figure it out.' EDM CAR: Hyman directs in McDavid's slick feed Many of Hyman's goals are scored by winning battles in and around the goal crease. He is tenacious around the net and can be a handful for any defenseman to handle in front.'I think as soon has he came in, he had a huge impact in a lot of different ways, ' Nugent Hopkins said. 'He scores big goals, and the way that he works and stays over the puck and makes plays all over the ice https://www.hurricanesprostore.com/jack-drury-jersey, that has been his MO since he's been here. We like playing together a lot; we read well off each other, we play different games. But I think we can compliment each other, so it's been fun for me to have a guy like that to build chemistry with and someone you can trust to make a play when you need to and get open and be able to have that finishing touch like he has.'Hyman developed a reputation as a hard working player during his time with Toronto. He has continued to play in that manner with the Oilers and is getting rewarded on a consistent basis.'He was always a tough guy to play against, because he would just work and work and hold on to that puck, ' Nugent Hopkins said. 'He's a strong guy, strong over the puck and it is tough to take it off him. That was kind of what I knew of him, but I think what surprised me was his actual skill level and his ability to make plays and finish like he can. He's a great guy. He's got a great family and is just a down to Earth person. We've become good friends over the last three years and he's a great player.'It did not take Hyman long to embed himself as a leader in the locker room, which already had strong veteran group with McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent Hopkins and defenseman Darnell Nurse. Hyman brings a positive energy to the Oilers https://www.hurricanesprostore.com/vasiliy-ponomarev-jersey, who have aspirations of winning the Stanley Cup despite a slow start this season.'It's not the easiest job in the world and going to that area, you get rewarded. He scores a lot of goals for us right in and around that goal crease, ' McDavid said. 'I know it's cliche, but you go to the net, and you get rewarded. I think he's kind of the postboy for that. He takes a lot of abuse, he takes a lot of shots, but it pays off in the end.'

The Ducks rallied from a multi goal, third period deficit to hand the Golden Knights their first regulation loss of the season and did so just 10 days after serving the Bruins their first defeat. Vitek Vanecek earned his 80th career win with a 32 save performance, including an save of the year candidate, against the Blackhawks. A four game Monday features a doubleheader on Sportsnet and TVA Sports as the Maple Leafs host the Lightning while the Canucks eye their 50th goal of the season when they host the Oilers. DUCKS SOAR TO ANOTHER THIRD PERIOD COMEBACK WIN TO STUN GOLDEN KNIGHTSThe Ducks found themselves in a familiar position, trailing in the third period for the fifth time in their past six games, but Mason McTavish 1 0 1 scored the third of four unanswered goals to help Anaheim 7 4 0, 14 points snap Vegas' season opening 12 game point streakand did so just 10 days after handing the Bruins their first loss following six straight victories to begin their campaign. The Ducks, with their NHL best fifth third period comeback win of 2023 24, became the third team in NHL history to snap an opponent's point streak of 12 or more games by overcoming a multi goal deficit in the final frame. The others: Tampa Bay vs. COL: 12 GP in 1996 97 and Colorado vs. ANA: 12 GP in 1996 97. Anaheim extended the League's longest active win streak to six games and became just the third club in NHL history to post at least five third period comeback victories throughout a win streak of any length, joining the 2018 19 Sabres 6 in 10 GP and 2013 14 Penguins 5 in 15 GP. VANECEK VAULTS DEVILS TO VICTORY IN 80TH CAREER WINVitek Vanecek stopped 32 of 34 shotshighlighted by a diving desperation save on Tyler Johnson in the opening frameto vault the Devils 7 3 1, 15 points to victory and register his 80th career win. Vanecek 80 35 14 in 139 GP became the sixth active goaltender to reach 80 career wins in 139 contests or fewer. The others: Igor Shesterkin 129 GP , Matt Murray 130 GP , Ilya Samsonov 132 GP , Frederik Andersen 133 GP and Tristan Jarry 133 GP https://www.edmontonoilersstoreonline.com. Vanecek holds a 39 13 4 career record in 60 career games with New Jersey and will likely become the fastest goaltender in franchise history to reach the 40 win mark, surpassing Hockey Hall of Fame member and Devils legend Martin Brodeur, who required 76 appearances. BACK TO BACK DOUBLEHEADERS ON TNT HIGHLIGHT SLATE OF 25 NATIONAL GAMESWith Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend approaching, the NHL on TNT panel will undoubtedly be celebrating one of its own during back to back doubleheaders Tuesday and Wednesday, the latter telecast marking Navy Federal Credit Union Veterans Appreciation Night. Tuesday, Nov. 7: Red Wings at Rangers 7:30 p. m. ET on TNT, MAX, SNP, SNO, SNE, SN1An Original Six matchup will take place at Madison Square Garden, where NHL on TNT panelist and former Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist claimed 262 of his franchise record 459 wins over 15 seasons in the New York net. 'King Henrik' will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in one week, alongside fellow netminders Tom Barrasso and Mike Vernon. It will mark the first time three goaltenders who played in the NHL will be inducted as part of the same class. Detroit will look to pick up its 100th all time road win against the Rangers, entering the contest with a 99 140 62 record in 301 head to head contests as the visiting club dating to Dec. 19, 1926. New York, meanwhile, will enter the contest on a seven game point streak and forward Artemi Panarin will look to continue his pursuit of the franchise record for longest point streak from the start of a season. Tuesday, Nov. 7: Devils at Avalanche 10 p. m. ET on TNT, MAX, SNP, SNO, SNE, SN1A pair of the NHL's leading scorers among their position will go head to head when Jesper Bratt 7 11 18 in 11 GP , who ranks tied for third among skaters in points, and the Devils travel to Colorado to take on Cale Makar 3 8 11 in 10 GP , who ranks third in scoring among defensemen tied , and the Avalanche at Ball Arena. The duo and their respective offenses have benefited from extended period of time in the offensive zone at even strength entering action Sunday COL: 43. 8% NJD: 42. 4%. Only five other clubs have as high a percentage in 2023 24, according to NHL Edge: Carolina 47. 8% , Edmonton 43. 8% , Pittsburgh 43% , Florida 42. 8% and Calgary 42 Carter Savoie Jersey. 7%. Wednesday, Nov. 8: Panthers at Capitals 7:30 p. m. ET on TNT, MAXBoth 2023 Stanley Cup Final participants will be in action during the second NHL on TNT doubleheader of the week, starting with Matthew Tkachuk and the Eastern Conference champion Panthers paying a visit to the nation's capital against Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals. Tkachuk 194 306 500 in 520 GP recorded his 500th NHL point Saturday. The 25 year old was younger than his father was when he hit the benchmark, but his dad has the slight edge in terms of fewest games Keith Tkachuk notched his 500th NHL point in his 519th game on March 30, 1999two days after his 27th birthday and when Matthew was 15 months old. Ovechkin, meanwhile, needs four goals to join Wayne Gretzky 1,016 as the second player in League history to score 900 times, including playoffs. 'The Great Eight' has scored 37 of his 896 total goals against the soon to be Hall of Famer Lundqvist. Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who could be in net for the showdown Wednesday, is among the top five on the list of netminders Ovechkin has beat most. Wednesday, Nov. 8: Kings at Golden Knights 10 p. m. ET on TNT, MAX, SN360, TVASThe only team to win a series against Florida in 2023 will host the nightcap as Jack Eichel and the reigning Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights welcome Anze Kopitar and the Kings. Both Eichel 6 20 26 in 2023 and Kopitar 5 21 26 in 2014 led the NHL in playoff scoring en route to a Stanley Cup win. The Kings are on an active six game road winning streak, the longest from the start of a season in franchise history and two shy of the club record at any point in a season. Only seven teams in NHL history have won each of their first seven plus road games of a season. This is the second time the Kings have had a road point streak of six plus games from the start of a season also 11 GP in 1974 75. QUICK CLICKS Nov. 5 edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates Andrew Mangiapane suspended one game for actions in Flames game Mathew Barzal fined $5,000 for actions in Islanders game Zdeno Chara runs impressive New York City Marathon time, rooted on by Islanders Nottingham Forest FC honors Adam Johnson's memory in 47th minute of Premier League matchWEEK 5 OF 2023 24 BEGINS WITH DOUBLEHEADER ON SPORTSNET, TVA SPORTSA showdown between the Lightning 5 3 3, 13 points and Maple Leafs 5 4 2, 12 points as well as the Oilers 2 7 1, 5 points and Canucks 8 2 1, 17 points highlight a doubleheader on Sportsnet and TVA Sports during the Monday schedule Wayne Gretzky Jersey. Vancouver 48 GF in 11 GP can join Vegas 50 GF through first 12 GP as the second team to score at least 50 goals through their first dozen games of the season including shootout deciding goals a feat last accomplished by multiple teams in 2005 06 OTT: 58, PHI: 56, COL: 53, CAR: 52 DET: 51.